Samsung and Apple are reportedly developing larger versions of their wide foldable smartphones for 2027, according to a tip on X.
GSMArena reported that the two companies already sell wide foldables with the Galaxy Z Fold8 and the iPhone Duo. A tipster on X claimed Wednesday that Samsung and Apple are actively working on bigger follow-ups for 2027, potentially setting up a head-on clash between a Galaxy Z Fold9 Plus and a larger iPhone Duo 2 Plus variant, as noted by news.lavx.hu.
The rumor points to Samsung Display potentially developing a larger wide folding panel for Samsung Electronics, which could then be supplied to Apple. No executive from either company has confirmed these plans, and the initial report relies entirely on a single unconfirmed social media post.
Samsung isn’t the only one making a bigger wide foldable in 2027 A bigger iPhone Duo 2 Plus model is apparently in development It would directly compete with the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold9 Plus pic.twitter.com/Xz5mJPE52f
Hardware Trade-Offs
The Galaxy Z Fold8 ships with 12GB of RAM alongside 256GB and 512GB storage tiers, matching the exact RAM and storage configurations offered by Apple on the iPhone Duo, according to news.lavx.hu.
Practical design challenges accompany the rumored expansion. Keeping the exact aspect ratios of the current Fold8 and Duo models on a larger chassis would push cover displays outward. This width increase could render one-handed interaction difficult for basic functions like calling, typing, or running quick system checks.
Ecosystem Divisions
Software environments will dictate how consumers evaluate the competing devices. Samsung anchors its hardware in Android and One UI, granting users direct integration with Google services and specialized large-screen applications. Apple routes buyers through iOS, maintaining strict continuity across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch lineup.
Concrete metrics regarding physical display sizes, total device weight, chipsets, battery capacities, and pricing have not been released by either manufacturer.
